Ristorante Massimo d’Azeglio in the Hotel Massimo D’azeglio has been inducted into the Association of Historical Places of Excellence in Rome.

In 1875, Maurizio Bettoja bought the building’s ground floor which housed various stores as well as a long-established restaurant and wine cellar. For over a century the Bettoja family has been overseeing the restaurant, now one of Rome’s leading dining places where traditional Italian cuisine reigns supreme. Splendid antique mahogany boiseries clad the walls, classic black-leather banquettes create intimate spaces around the tables, while a collection of Risorgimento paintings and prints – including Massimo d’Azeglio’s self-portrait and three of his drawings – underline the theme of the restaurant.

The Massimo D’Azeglio’s maitre’d takes diners on a gastronomic journey that changes daily according to the season. The menu contains a selection of specialties, traditional dishes, highly appreciated by lovers of the classic culinary art and require passion and skill to prepare.

Also famous throughout Rome and Italy is Massimo D’Azeglio’s historic cellar “Cantina”; a grotto under the restaurant housing a collection of thousands of fine Italian and French wines some which date back to the early 1900. The Cantina is the backdrop for unforgettable wine-tastings and candlelit suppers.

Bettoja Hotels of Rome, www.bettojahotels.it